The Dover (N.H.) Coalition for Youth has disinvited Miss New Hampshire from speaking at its "Kick Butts" event because her antismoking appearances are being funded by tobacco company R.J. Reynolds, the Associated Press reported March 27.

School and police officials cancelled Emily Hughes' appearance because they said they were not told about the tobacco company's role in her presentations, which cover a wide range of decisionmaking by youth. Dana Mitchell, Dover's police prevention coordinator, said that R.J. Reynolds offers "lame and mixed messages" on smoking. Hughes and the director of the Miss New Hampshire pageant, Bob Oxford, said that R.J. Reynolds' role in the appearances is routinely disclosed.

Hughes said she writes her own speeches, but Reynolds pays her $250 per appearance. In disinviting her to the Dover event, Mitchell wrote, "I find it a little ironic that you are speaking to kids on making good decisions in tough situations, while you have made this choice to work for the tobacco industry."

The American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and other groups have called on state Miss America groups to end their partnerships with the tobacco firm.